Fractional CO2 Laser in Kelowna BC | SmartSkin Laser

Fractional CO2 Laser

A Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser is similar to an Erbium Laser in that they both vaporize water to remove layers of problem skin and stimulate collagen growth. A Fractional CO2 Laser however, is a much better skin tightening laser and therefore is used for the treatment of deeper skin problems.

Dr. Crippen is certified in cosmetic laser procedures by the American Board of Laser Surgery. Always make sure you see an experienced and well-trained laser physician for your fractional laser treatments.

How Does a Fractional CO2 Skin Laser Work?

A Fractional CO2 Laser heats water, and our skin cells are made primarily of water. When directed at the problem skin area, the laser gently removes skin cells, exposing fresh layers of lower lying skin. The heat from the laser also helps to stimulate the growth of new collagen, aiding in the development of younger, smoother skin. No matter how aged the outer layers of skin may appear, Fractional CO2 treatments in Kelowna will always help improve aging and or sun damaged skin.

What is the Procedure for a Fractional Laser Treatment in Kelowna?

At DermMedica, the average Fractional Laser treatment in Kelowna is 20 to 30 minutes. The rest of the appointment time is spent waiting for the numbing cream to properly freeze the treatment area. After exposure to the laser, the treated skin is soothed with a moisturizing ointment before the patient is able to leave the office and proceed home. Below here is a video of a patient followed daily for one week during and immediately after a facial fractional CO2 laser treatment.

What is the Recovery Time of a Fractional Laser Treatment in Kelowna?

1-7 days – Due to the intensity of the treatment, Fractional CO2 Laser patients often experience redness, and slight swelling following the procedure. Patients are encouraged to moisturize the skin, apply sunscreen, avoid sun exposure, and maintain a regular cleansing schedule during recovery.

What Are the Expected Results?

Smoother, tighter, firmer, and younger looking skin are the common results of Fractional CO2 Laser treatments. If a Fractional CO2 laser is used to treat acne, brown spots, melasma, or wrinkles, patients can expect the gradual removal of these conditions after a series of treatments.

Some of our Before/After Pictures of Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments

Quick Answers About Fractional Co2 Laser

Should My Skin Feel Dry After a CO2 Laser Treatment? I'm Pretty Happy with the Skin Tightening Up, but It's Also Starting to Feel Dry. Is This a Temporary Side Effect, or Is It Something I Should Have Treated?

Shortly after treatment, in the first few weeks, it is entirely normal for the skin to feel dry and tight. We provide good emollients for the skin in these situations and the key thing is to not scratch, but keep the skin well hydrated, eat well, and get a lot of sleep or rest.

Should I Use the IPL or Fractional CO2 for My Face Melasma? I've Found What Looks like a Lot of Good Options for Melasma on Your Website, but I'm Not Sure Which One Is Going to Be a Better Match for Me. Am I Expected to Choose the Best Procedure, or Can I Consult with You on That Before I Choose One?

I would not recommend either of those treatments for your standard Melasma condition. We have a very special way of treating Melasma that works quite well for most of our patients. Give us a call to make an appointment to see how we can assist you.

Can I Still Use This Treatment If I’m Pregnant?

We don’t recommend that. If you’re attempting to treat about a sudden breakout that resulted from pregnancy, it’s important to understand that treatment may have no effect at all. Many skin conditions are aggravated by the massive hormone production that occurs during pregnancy, and during that time, the effectiveness of any treatment would be difficult to predict. Once your body has rebalanced after pregnancy, we can help you better understand your options.

Does This Laser Work Only for Facial Treatments?

No. The problems listed above can be treated all over the body, though we may recommend a different treatment path depending on your unique needs and what we find out during the consultation. If you need help with any of these conditions, we likely have multiple means to help you, including some that are a better fit than this one.

Should I Expect More Pain for Sensitive Areas like the Neck?

Patients do report the neck as more sensitive, but our cooling cream is very effective. It’s applied well before treatment, and we pay close attention to our patients throughout the procedure. Serious discomfort is rarely noticed or reported for any area of the face.

What Is the Recovery Time with the Fractional CO2 Ablative Laser for Acne Scars, Wrinkles, Resurfacing?

The normal amount of downtime is about one week but this can vary between patients and the depth of treatment desired. We can alter the downtime to be just a few days or just a few weeks depending on the situation and patients needs.

How Long After CO2 Fractional Laser Do I Wait to Wash My Face?

You will wash your face the next morning as we give you instructions on exactly how to care for your skin during the all-important healing phase of the treatment.

Can I Wash My Face One Day After Fractional CO2 Procedure?

Yes, absolutely, we recommend this to every patient.

What Is the Minimum Age for CO2 Laser?

I usually don’t recommend any fractional laser treatments to patients below the age of 19 as their skin is still maturing and we normally want to treat conditions that are stable over time.

Will Fractional CO2 Permanently Remove Deep Pores and Little Scars?

Fractional co2 laser treatments can definitely improve pore size and scars, this is why we use this technology so often for our patients.

How Deep Do Traditional CO2 Lasers Go?

Fractional CO2 lasers can ablate (remove) skin many mm in depth in the skin but again this is very individual as each patients face and condition is different.